Day 11 of our pilgrimage began with a highlight of our spiritual journey, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulchre church. The matins midnight service began at 12:30am followed by the Divine Liturgy which was presided by Metropolitan Isihios and local clergy including Father Blasko. It was an incredible spritual experience for all of the pilgrims to receive the Body of Christ where His body was placed before the resurrection. The liturgy concluded around 3:30am.
Having rested in the morning, we continued our pilgrimage by going to Hebron, Palestine, where the most clear old testament revelation of the Holy Trinity appeared here to Abraham as three angels in one voice. The ancient oak still marks the place.
Up the road we visited a spiritual treasure: a Russian Orthodox church and monastery, dedicated to forefather Abraham and Sarah. The plainer, blue and brownish-gold arched walls stretched far back to the altar, but we were struck more by powerful feelings than by its beauty. The shroud in which St. Mary was wrapped is encased there, and we were able to venerate her wonder-working icon. Then Father led us in prayer and was joined by the monk, who'd helped us enter the grounds.
After more shopping and watching the glass blowers and potters at a nearby factory, we revisited the Church of the Nativity in order to pray for the children killed by Herod. There is a small chapel to remember and pray for them underneath the main floor of the church, and it is possible to see their poor bones strewn about through barred windows in the stone wall below the altar.
We walked back to our hotel through the Arab Quarter for an evening rest.
